Cargo and courier services provider LBC Express Inc. claimed that its subsidiary covering southern Metro Manila had already paid its value-added taxes or VAT, making the closure of its 33 branches by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) last month a “surprise.”

In a statement to media, LBC Express president and chief operating officer Miguel Angel A. Camahort described the matter as “an isolated incident, in the areas covered by LBC SMM (South Metro Manila).”

“LBC SMM received a five-day VAT compliance notice from the BIR dated Aug. 5. The VAT compliance notice was replied to on Aug. 27, properly addressing and clarifying the matter, with attached documentary proof that LBC Express had, in fact, duly and properly made all VAT payments,” Camahort said. As of press time, the Blacktown NSW office of LBC remains open. There is no indication that international branches are affected.